Grew up in a small mountain town called Jánico in the Santiago province of the Dominican Republic. Was raised there with his sister, Nixzali, by their parents Ana Sobeida and Romulo Rafael...Left home when he was 14 so that he could go train at the academy in the city...When Adames was five years old, he'd tag along when his uncles and cousins played baseball every Sunday. He'd wear a miniature version of their uniform...To help Adames become a better hitter, Hall of Famer Barry Larkin taught him to box. Larkin says the key is being rotational with the lower half while staying linear with the upper half. Adames trained with Larkin in Orlando in the 2018-19 offseason...Willy's sister, Níxzali, is currently engaged to Milwaukee's William Contreras (Adames' former teammate)...Choose to wear #2 with the Giants because Derek Jeter was his favorite player growing up...Is the commissioner of the Junior Giants program, following in the footsteps of PBO Buster Posey, who also served as the player ambassador his entire playing career...Was Milwaukee’s nominee for the MLBPAA’s Heart and Hustle Award in both 2021 and 2024.
2025
Made his seventh Opening Day roster, first as a Giant...Became the first Giants player to reach 30 home runs in a season since Barry Bonds had 45 home runs in 2004…he became the first Giants infielder and right-handed hitter to reach 30 homers in a season since Jeff Kent (37 homers in 2002)...Adames also became one of six players to have three or more seasons with 30+ homers in a season when playing 90% or more of their games as a shortstop, joining Álex Rodríguez (seven), Francisco Lindor (six), Miguel Tejada (four), Ernie Banks (four) and Corey Seager (three)...Led the club with 30 homers and 12 steals, becoming the first shortstop to lead the Giants in both categories in a season since George Davis in 1897...His 30 homers as a shortstop were tied with Francisco Lindor for most in the Majors while his 87 RBI ranked third...Appeared in 160 of SF’s 162 games made 158 starts at shortstop...marked the second-most games by a Giants SS in franchise history behind only José Pagán (164 games) in 1962...Logged four multi-homer games (5/4 vs. COL, 7/19 at TOR, 8/22 at MIL, 8/28 vs. CHC )...his four multiHR games were the most by a Giant since Barry Bonds (2004) and the most by an infielder since Matt Williams, who had five in 1994...Is one of two Giants shortstops since 1900 to have four multi-homer games in a season, joining Travis Jackson (1929)...Drew a career-high 80 walks on the season...His 26 go-ahead RBI were fifth-most in the NL...Recorded his sixth career walk-off hit and RBI with an 11th-inning, two-run single in the Giants’ home opener on April 4 vs. Seattle...Became the fourth Giants player with a walk-off hit in his first home game with the team, since 1900, joining Rey Sanchez (April 7, 1998), Fran Healy (April 15, 1971) and Moe Solomon (Sept. 30, 1923)...Hit his first home run as a Giant on April 14 at Philadelphia, a solo shot off RHP Taijuan Walker...Recorded his eighth career multi-home run game on May 4 vs. Colorado…also included his first home run as a Giant at Oracle Park...His 1st-inning two-run HR on June 11 at Coors Field traveled 452 feet, the second-farthest home run of his career (462ft - Sept. 21, 2019)...Received a standing ovation in his return to American Family Field on August 22 and homered twice for his 10th career multi-homer game…also marked his first career game with two homers of left-handed pitchers (LHP Jose Quintana & LHP Aaron Ashby) in the same game...Both he and Rafael Devers hit nine HRs in August, which were the most by a Giant in a single month since Brandon Belt also homered nine times in September/October 2021...With his 28th homer on Sept. 9 vs. Arizona, he became the first Giant to hit a home run in eight straight series since Barry Bonds did it in 2003...Hit a leadoff homer on the first pitch he saw in the final game of the season on September 28 vs. COL for his 30th home run of the season…it was his first career leadoff home run.
2024
Appeared in 161 games in his fourth season with Milwaukee...Slashed .251/.331/.462 (.794 OPS) and set career highs in runs (93), doubles (33), home runs (32), RBI (112), stolen bases (21), extra-base hits (65) and walks (74)...Named NL Player of the Week on June 2 after collecting 10 RBI in a six-game span from May 27-June 1...Adames went 9-for-23 (.391) with a double, two HRs and four walks on the week to earn the honors...Belted 13 three-run home runs, tying Ken Griffey Jr. (1996) for the Major League record in a season...Became the fourth player in Brewers history to have a 30 HR/20 SB season, joining Tommy Harper (1970), Ryan Braun (2009, 2011-12) and Christian Yelich (2018-19)...Ranked among NL leaders in RBI (second), offensive bWAR (4.8, sixth), HRs (eighth), total bases (282, tied for eighth), extra-base hits (tied for 10th) and walks (tied for 10th)...His 112 RBI as a shortstop led the Majors, while his 32 HR tied for third from the position...The 112 RBI were also fourth-best in all of MLB...Was one of two shortstops in MLB to play at least 161 games, joining Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr...Finished 10th in the NL MVP voting...Adames was awarded the Brewers' Good Guy Award following the season...Was the Brewers' nominee for the MLBPAA Heart and Hustle Award...Was a nominee for the 2024 All-MLB Team.
2023
Batted .217 with 24 HR and 80 RBI in 149 games with Milwaukee...Made 149 starts (147g at SS, 2g at DH)...His 24 HR and 80 RBI led the team...his 71 walks marked a career high...From the shortstop position tied for second in the National League in RBI (80) and ranked third in HR (24)...Belted his 100th career home run on 5/7 at San Francisco with a 2-run shot off Ross Stripling...Was on the 7-day concussion list from 5/27-6/6 after he was struck in the head by a Brian Anderson foul ball while in the dugout on 5/26 vs. San Francisco...Tied his career high (6x) with four hits in a 7-1 win on 6/23 at Cleveland...also had two HR and a season-high five RBI in the contest...Had his second two-homer game of the season and fourth of his career in an 8-5 loss on 7/8 vs. Cincinnati...Had another four-hit game in a 6-1 win on 8/19 at Texas, the seventh of his career...Hit .571 (4-for-7) with one RBI in the NL Wild Card Series vs. Arizona...Played for Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, making his only appearance in a start at shortstop on 3/13 vs. Nicaragua...went 2-for-4 with a run in a 6-1 win...Signed a one-year contract on 1/11/24, avoiding arbitration.
2022
Batted .238 with 31 HR and 98 RBI in 139 games with Milwaukee...Made 138 starts (136g at SS, 2g at DH)...Was named Brewers Most Valuable Player for the second straight season as voted on by members of the Milwaukee Chapter of the BBWAA as he led the team in RBI (98), doubles (31), total bases (258) and extra-base hits (62)...Hit a team-best .301 (40-for-133) with runners in scoring position...Produced career highs in at-bats (563), runs (83), HR (31), RBI (98), total bases (258), extra-base hits (62) and SB (8)...His 31 HR as a shortstop were the most in franchise history in a single season (Robin Yount, 29hr, 1982) and 95 RBI tied José Valentín (1996) for second in franchise history from the position (Robin Yount, 113rbi, 1982)...His 31 HR as a shortstop tied the Rangers’ Corey Seager for the Major League lead.....his 95 RBI as a shortstop ranked fourth in the majors...Missed 20 games while on the 10-day injured list from 5/18-6/7, retroactive to 5/16, with a left ankle sprain...Was named National League Player of the Week for 4/25-5/1 after batting .310 (9-for-29) with four HR and 10 RBI in seven games...Had two-homer games on 4/26 at Pittsburgh and 5/5 vs. Cincinnati, the first multi-homer games of his career...Had a career-high 7 RBI and tied his career high (4x) with four hits in a 12-8 win 4/26 at Pittsburgh.....joined José Hernández (4/12/01 vs. Houston) as the only shortstops in franchise history to have a seven-RBI game...Belted his fourth career grand slam in a 19-2 win on 7/1 at Pittsburgh (off Cam Vieaux)...Notched his second four-hit game of the season, tying his career high (5x), in a 7-5 loss on 9/20 vs. New York-NL...Signed a one-year contract on 1/13/23, avoiding arbitration.
2021
Batted .262 with 25 HR and 73 RBI in 140 games between Tampa Bay and Milwaukee.....made 133 starts (131g at SS, 2g at DH)...Set career highs in runs (77), doubles (32), HR (25), RBI (73), walks (57), total bases (239), extra-base hits (58), SLG (.481) and OPS (.818)...Batted .197 (26-for-132) with five HR and 15 RBI in 41 games with Tampa Bay...Made 37 starts with the Rays, all at shortstop...Was traded to Milwaukee with RHP Trevor Richards on 5/21 in exchange for RHP J.P. Feyereisen and RHP Drew Rasmussen...Batted .285 (104-for-365) with 20 HR and 58 RBI in 99 games with Milwaukee...Made 96 starts with the Brewers (94g at SS, 2g at DH)...The Brewers went 74-44 (.627) after he arrived on 5/22 (were 21-23 prior)...Was named Brewers Most Valuable Player and Top Newcomer as voted on by members of the Milwaukee Chapter of the BBWAA...Became the third shortstop (4x) in franchise history to produce 4+ hits and 4+ RBI in a game as he went 4-for-5 with a run, double, HR and four RBI in a 6-5, 10-inning win on 5/27 vs. San Diego.....Robin Yount (1978 and 1982) and J.J. Hardy (2005) are the only other Brewers shortstops to accomplish the feat...Became the second player in franchise history to have three doubles and a home run in a game on 6/19 at Colorado.....his two-run homer in the ninth inning won the game.....Damian Miller (2006) is the only other Brewers player to accomplish the feat...Belted his third career grand slam in a 15-7 win on 6/30 vs. Chicago-NL off Tommy Nance...Was named National League Player of the Week for 7/16-7/18 after batting .615 (8-for-13) with 2 HR and 7 RBI in Cincinnati...Was on the 10-day injured list from 9/5-9/19 with a left quad strain...Batted .294 (5-for-17) in the NLDS vs. Atlanta, starting all four games at shortstop...Signed a one-year contract on 3/22/22, avoiding arbitration
2020
Appeared in 54 games and made 51 starts, all at shortstop, in his second full season in the majors…hit .319/.396/.596 (15-for-47) vs. LHP and .308/.449/.615 (12-for-39) with RISP...Led the team and tied for 9th in the AL with 15 2B…led the majors with 14 2B through Sept. 2, but after that only had one in his last 18 games...His 74 SO were most on the team and 5th in the AL…struck out in 33 of 67 AB (49.3 pct.) in his last 18 games, from Sept. 4 through season’s end...Hit .330 (35-for-106) with 7 HR on the road, compared to .165 (13-for-79) with 1 HR at home...His nine errors tied for most among AL shortstops...Was the youngest player on the Rays Opening Day roster for a second consecutive year...On Aug. 16 at TOR, gave the Rays a 7-5 lead in a seven-inning game with a two-run homer in the eighth inning, the first extra-inning homer of his career…it was the first scheduled seven-inning game to go to extras in 2020…therefore, he became the first player under the modified rules to hit an extra-inning homer in the eighth or ninth inning...On Aug. 30 at MIA, hit a grand slam in the fifth inning, upheld after the Marlins challenged that he passed a runner on the bases…was the second grand slam of his career, following June 4, 2019, at DET…became the second shortstop in club history with multiple grand slams (while playing the position), joining Ben Zobrist (both in 2008)...Recorded multiple hits in four consecutive games from Aug. 30–Sept. 2, the longest such streak of his career…totaled 10 hits in 17 AB...POSTSEASON...Started all 20 games at shortstop…hit .136 (8-for-59) with 13 BB, all unintentional…only four players in major league history had more unintentional walks in a single postseason: FLA Gary Sheffield (20) in 1997, LAD Max Muncy (20) in 2020, BOS Mark Bellhorn (14) in 2004 and SF Barry Bonds (14) in 2002.
2019
In his age-23 season, became the youngest Ray to hit 20 HR since Evan Longoria (33) in 2009…all 20 HR came as a shortstop, passing Brad Miller (19) in 2016 for the club record…only two other players as young as Adames hit at least 20 HR while playing shortstop: NYY Gleyber Torres (25) and SD Fernando Tatís Jr. (22)...His 152 games led the team and his 145 starts at shortstop were 4th-most in the AL behind OAK Marcus Semien (161), BOS Xander Bogaerts (153) and TEX Elvis Andrus (146)…it was the 3rd-most in club history behind Julio Lugo (155) in 2005 and Yunel Escobar (149) in 2013...Was errorless in 86 chances over his last 31 games…totaled 12 Defensive Runs Saved, tied with OAK Marcus Semien and LAA Andrelton Simmons for most among AL shortstops...Was one of three Rays on the active roster for the entirety of the season, joining Charlie Morton and Tommy Pham...Hit .303/.375/.528 (82-for-271) with 15 HR in 77 games on the road and .204/.253/.304 (53- for-260) with 5 HR in 75 games at Tropicana Field…75.0 pct. of his homers came on the road, the highest rate in the AL (min. 15 HR)...His first 9 HR came on the road, becoming the second player in franchise history to hit his first 9 HR of a season on the road, joining Gerald Williams (9) in 2000...Hit .329/.403/.609 (53-for-161) with 11 HR out of the No. 9 spot, leading the majors in on-base pct. and slugging pct. …his 11 HR tied OAK Josh Phegley (11) for the major league lead and were a club record, passing Curt Casali (7) in 2015 and Yunel Escobar (7) in 2013...Made his first Opening Day roster…at 23 years, 207 days, was the youngest Opening Day starting shortstop in club history, passing Reid Brignac (25 years, 75 days) in 2011 vs. BAL...On May 29 vs. TOR, his 11th-inning single off Justin Shafer was the second walk-off hit of his career, following Aug 7, 2018 vs. BAL...On June 4 at DET, hit his first career grand slam, off Buck Farmer in the 8th inning…was the fifth grand slam by a shortstop in club history, following Daniel Robertson on May 19, 2018 at LAA, Ben Zobrist on Sep 13, 2008 at NYY (G2) and Aug 29, 2008 vs. BAL and Julio Lugo on June 13, 2003 vs. PIT…at 23 years, 275 days, was the youngest Ray to hit a grand slam since Wil Myers (22.194) on June 22, 2013 at NYY...On June 11 vs. OAK, recorded the 13th steal of home in franchise history, as part of a double steal with Kevin Kiermaier...On Sep 20 vs. BOS, recorded a career-high-tying 3 hits, including a walk-off single in the 11th inning, his third career walk-off hit...On Sep 21 vs. BOS, his solo homer off Josh Taylor in the 7th inning struck the D-ring catwalk and went 462 feet, the longest homer of his career...lead off the next half inning with a homer…his home run hit the D-ring catwalk, the third time a fair ball struck a catwalk in the postseason.
2018
Appeared in 85 games and made 80 starts (72-SS, 8-2B) over three stints with the Rays, his first career major league action…took over as the starting shortstop after Adeiny Hechavarria was designated for assignment on Aug 1…led the team in starts at shortstop...Ranked among AL rookie leaders in avg. (.278, 4th), on-base pct. (.348, 3rd), multi-hit games (22, tied for 7th) and walks (31, 7th)...Named to the Topps Major League All-Rookie Team, the first Rays shortstop to earn the honor...Was the second rookie middle infielder in franchise history to hit double-digit homers, following Brendan Harris (12) in 2007...Eight of his 10 HR came with the bases empty, and seven of his 10 HR came at home...Committed a team-high 14 errors…his 13 errors at shortstop tied for 5th-most in the AL...Entered August batting just .200 (23-for-115), but from Aug 1 through season's end started 47 of the team's 55 games at shortstop…hit .329/.405/ .480 (47-for-173) during that span, tops among AL rookies in avg. and 4th in the AL, trailing BOS Mookie Betts (.363), BOS J.D. Martinez (.346) and CLE Michael Brantley (.337)...Made his major league debut on May 22 vs. BOS…at 22 years, 262 days, became the youngest position player to make his major league debut for the Rays since Wil Myers on June 18, 2013 at BOS and youngest infielder since Reid Brignac on July 4, 2008 vs. KC…became the youngest shortstop to homer in his major league debut since CHC Starlin Castro (20 years, 44 days) on May 7, 2010 at CIN…at the time, was the 3rd-youngest player in the AL, behind NYY Gleyber Torres and BOS Rafael Devers...Homered off Chris Sale in his second career at-bat, becoming the fifth Ray to homer in his major league debut, following Brandon Guyer on May 6, 2011 at BAL, Elijah Dukes on April 2, 2007 at NYY, Delmon Young on Aug 29, 2006 at CWS and Brent Abernathy on June 25, 2001 at BOS… also became the first player, Rays or visitor, to homer at Tropicana Field in his first career game...On Aug 7 vs. BAL, hit a walk-off home run off Miguel Castro, becoming the fifth player in club history to hit one before his 23rd birthday…he joined Jake Bauers (2018), Evan Longoria (2008), Delmon Young (2007) and Carl Crawford (twice in 2003)…it was the fourth walk-off homer in Rays history by a shortstop, following Ben Zobrist (2012), Reid Brignac (2010) and Kevin Stocker (1998)...Totaled 5 HR and 5 SB in August…was the third rookie in franchise history with at least 5 HR and 5 SB in a calendar month, joining Desmond Jennings in August 2011 and Damon Hollins in May 2005...Played in 40 games for Triple-A Durham prior to his first recall, and another 24 games spanning two stints after his major league debut...On April 23 vs. Buffalo (Blue Jays), hit for the cycle in an 8-1 victory…it was his first career cycle, and the second for Durham since they became a Rays affiliate in 1998, joining José Guillén on April 22, 2000…it was the 10th cycle in the history of the Rays organization, first since Evan Longoria for the Rays on Aug 1, 2017 at HOU, and the eighth by a Rays minor leaguer, first since Grant Kay on July 14, 2014 with Short-A Hudson Valley.
2017
Spent his age-21 season with Durham…was the third-youngest player on an International League Opening Day roster, behind 20-year-old Ozzie Albies (Gwinnett) and teammate Jake Bauers (21)... Named Most Valuable Player for Durham by the Rays Baseball Operations department…tied for 3rd in the IL with a team-leading and careerhigh 140 hits, surpassing his 133 hits in 2016 with Double-A Montgomery…also led the team with 5 3B and 210 total bases... His 62 RBI and .277 avg. were both career highs... Named to the IL midseason All-Star Team, his third consecutive year receiving midseason AllStar honors... From the start of June through the end of the season, hit .303/.389/.455 (98-for-323) with 8 HR and 41 RBI in 84 games…through the first two months, was batting .230/.309/.344 (42-for-183) with 2 HR and 21 RBI in 46 games... Named the Rays Minor League Hitter of the Month for June, batting .350/.449/.550 (35-for100) with 5 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR and 12 RBI... According to Baseball Reference, did not have a single plate appearance against a pitcher younger than him... Named to the Rays Organizational All-Star Team by MLB.com... Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 19 overall prospect in the minors following the season… was the No. 2 prospect in the Rays system and No. 5 prospect in the IL…the publication also tabbed him as the Best Defensive Shortstop and Best Infield Arm in the IL in its Best Tools survey... Ranked by Baseball America as the Best Defensive Infielder in the Rays organization for a fourth consecutive year…also tabbed as the Best Infield Arm in the system.
2016
Spent his age-20 season with Double-A Montgomery…established career highs in games (132), runs (89), hits (133), doubles (31), home runs (11), stolen bases (13), walks (74) and SLG (.430). Led the Southern League in runs and walks…also ranked among league leaders in doubles (3rd), extra-base hits (3rd), OBP (4th), SLG (5th) and total bases (3rd). Named to the SL midseason and postseason All-Star teams. All 112 starts came at shortstop. Had 4 HR through the end of April, matching his output from the season prior with Charlotte. Hit .324/.407/.602 (35-for-108) with 6 HR and 20 RBI vs. LHP. According to Baseball Reference, had only 6 PA against pitchers younger than him…had 562 PA against older pitchers. Was the starting shortstop for the World team in the Futures Game in July at Petco Park. Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 10 over-all prospect in the minors entering the 2017 season…was the No. 1 prospect in the Rays or-ganization and the No. 2 prospect in the SL, behind Dansby Swanson (Braves), following the 2016 season…the publication also tabbed him as the Best Defensive Infielder in the system for the third straight season.
